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Best Camp Equipment To Use This Summer

Campfire Travel • August 3, 2022

Camping is a great way to unplug and reconnect with family and friends. Whether you're going out for the weekend or packing everything up to camp in the middle of nowhere, there are some essentials that will make things easier on everyone involved. In this post, I'll be sharing my top picks for camping equipment based on my personal experience using them as well as recommendations from other seasoned campers.

Camping Lantern

A camping lantern is a must-have item when you're camping. It's versatile and can be used in many different ways besides simply lighting up the area around you. You can use it for reading at night, or for cooking food on your camp stove if you want to make some hot cocoa or s'mores by the fire pit. They're also great for emergency lighting if there's a storm and power goes out at home. A good camping lantern should be waterproof and have long-lasting batteries so that it will last through all of your adventures this summer!

Pocket Knife

If you're camping, there are a number of things you can use a pocket knife for. You can cut the rope, rope-like material like vines or fishing line, and food (if you're hunting or fishing). You can also use it to cut wood for fires and tent pegs. You should always bring a reliable flashlight with you if you're going to be heading out at night. If the power goes out in your home due to an emergency situation like Hurricane Michael, then having access to light is crucial. This helps keep everyone safe during high winds and rain storms by allowing them to see what's around them while they move around safely indoors.

Hiking Boots

Hiking boots are one of the most important items to bring on a hike. Whether you're hiking around a city or deep in the woods, your feet need to be protected and comfortable. Hiking boots should be waterproof and have good traction so that you don't slip and fall while walking on steep terrain. They should also have a solid sole, as this will help provide stability when carrying heavy loads over long distances. The best hiking boots will have an ankle support system that is designed for stability-especially if you plan on doing any more difficult hikes where there could be large rocks or steep inclines involved. Additionally, breathability is key: having wet feet can lead to blisters or other foot problems later on down the road!

Waterproof Matches

One of the most important pieces of camping equipment a camper can have is waterproof matches. Without them, you are basically stuck in your tent, waiting for a fire to happen. If you've ever been out camping and it has rained on you or if there's been even just a little bit of moisture in the air-or if there's just an unpredictable humidity level-then your matches will not light up. One thing that I like to do when I go camping is bringing two or three different types of matches with me: regular wooden ones (they work great), strike-anywhere book matches (they're super cheap), and waterproof strike-anywhere book matches (so they won't get wet).

Sleeping Pad

A sleeping pad is a foam pad that you sleep on. Without one, the cold, hard ground will make your experience less comfortable and more painful than it needs to be. The sleeping pad can also help keep you warm in summer, making sure that no matter what time of year it is when you go camping, there will always be a place for you to rest your head at night. The sleeping pad should have some sort of padding on all sides-the idea being that the cushioning protects you from getting hurt by sharp rocks or other sharp objects underfoot (which are often unavoidable).

Cooking Set

A cooking set is a must-have. Depending on the size of your group, you may need more than one. If that's the case, it's best to opt for something like a two-burner propane stove or a campfire grill. A simple pot and pan will do for smaller groups; larger groups might want something more specialized like an electric skillet or even an actual kitchen range that plugs into a generator (I have no experience with this but I'm sure some people use them!).

Regardless of what type of cooking equipment you choose, make sure it's easy to clean and store when not in use. If possible, try bringing along any pots or pans from home so that if anything does get broken during camp meals (which happens), you'll already have replacements ready at home! Also, keep in mind that transporting bulky items can be difficult if they don't fit into your car well; check out what other camping gear is available before deciding which pieces are worth buying!

We hope that this post has given you some great ideas for the best camping equipment to use this summer! We know how important it is for you to have fun on your trip, so we wanted to share with you some of our favorite things. From our own experience, we know that these items will help make your time in nature more enjoyable and comfortable. If we missed anything else that's on your list (or if there's something else that should be added), let us know-we love hearing from readers!



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By Campfire Travel November 3, 2022
Ingredients FOR THE LEMON-PEPPER SEASONING: 3 tbsp. freshly cracked black pepper 2 tbsp. kosher salt 2 tbsp. grated lemon zest, dried for 1 hour 2 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp. mustard powder 2 tsp. onion powder 1 tsp. sugar FOR THE STEAKS: 8 boneless rib-eye steaks (about 1 inch thick) Kosher salt, to taste 1 stick salted butter, melted Directions For the lemon-pepper seasoning: Stir together the pepper, salt, lemon zest, garlic powder, mustard powder, onion powder and sugar in a small bowl. For the steaks: Preheat a grill to medium high. Season the steaks lightly with salt and rub the lemon-pepper seasoning on both sides. Brush the steaks liberally with the melted butter Grill the steaks 1 minute 45 seconds, then rotate the steaks 90 degrees. Cook 2 minutes, then go ahead and flip the steak over to the other side. After 1 minute 45 seconds on the second side, rotate 90 degrees and finish cooking for 2 minutes, or until the steaks reach 115˚ to 120˚ on an instant-read thermometer (the steak will continue to cook slightly after you’ve removed it from the grill). This is medium rare— my favorite. Remember, you can always throw a steak back on the grill if it’s too red for your taste but you can’t undo it if it’s overcooked! via: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a35823414/lemon-pepper-grilled-rib-eyes-recipe/
By Campfire Travel November 3, 2022
Ingredients 1 6-ounce container blueberries 1/2 c. sugar 2 tbsp. lemon juice (from 1 lemon) 2 tsp. cornstarch 1 1/2 c. chopped strawberries (about 8 ounces) 18 to 24 glazed doughnut holes Directions Combine the blueberries, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries start breaking down and the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Scrape into a small bowl and set aside. Wipe the pan clean and add the strawberries and the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon cornstarch. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries soften and the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Scrape into a separate small bowl and set aside. Meanwhile, preheat a grill to low. Thread the doughnut holes onto 6 to 8 ten-inch wooden skewers. Grill the doughnuts, turning, until warmed and marked, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Serve with the fruit sauces. via: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a33407727/doughnut-hole-kebabs-recipe/
By Campfire Travel November 3, 2022
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By Campfire Travel September 5, 2022
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By Campfire Travel September 5, 2022
Ingredients Marinade 1 minced garlic clove 1/4 cup cilantro leaves 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons tequila 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak Instructions At home: Whirl garlic, cilantro, oil, tequila, lemon and lime juices, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Transfer to a large resealable plastic bag. When ready to marinate steak (at least 1 and up to 24 hours before cooking), add steak to bag, shake to coat with marinade, reseal, and chill. At campsite: Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for high heat (450° to 550°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 2 to 4 seconds). Grill steak over direct heat (cover if using gas), about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let sit 10 minutes, then cut across the grain into 1/2-in.-thick slices. Serve with Four-Herb Chimichurri. via https://www.sunset.com/recipe/gaucho-steak-with-four-herb-chimichurri
By Campfire Travel September 5, 2022
INGREDIENTS 3 lbs. Ground Beef, (90% lean) 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 jalapeño pepper, ribs and seeds removed, chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 Tbsp. chili powder 1 Tbsp. paprika 1 Tbsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. dried oregano ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper ½ tsp. Kosher salt 1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce 1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes & green chilies, undrained 1 12-oz bottle of beer 2 8.5 oz boxes of cornbread mix (including ingredients to prepare cornbread) Optional Toppings Sour cream Sliced green onions Shredded cheddar cheese INSTRUCTIONS Step 1 Heat briquettes up in a chimney, then make a layer of hot briquettes on the ground, a fire ring, or other metal structure. Step 2 Place the dutch oven on the briquettes and allow dutch oven to get hot. Step 3 Add oil to the dutch oven and sauté onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño pepper stirring occasionally until tender, approximately 4-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute. Step 4 Add Ground Beef to dutch oven and cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking beef into small crumbles and stirring occasionally until browned. If dutch oven starts to cool off, add more hot briquettes on the bottom. Step 5 Add chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, black pepper and salt; cook for 1 minute. Step 6 Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes & green chilies, and beer; bring to a boil. Cook for 30 minutes. Step 7 Prepare cornbread mix based on box instructions and pour over chili, spreading into an even layer. Step 8 Heat approximately 20 additional briquettes. Cover dutch oven with lid and place hot briquettes evenly on the top of the closed lid. Step 9 Cook for about 10 minutes, checking halfway through. Check to see if cornbread is done by sticking a toothpick into cornbread. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done. via https://beeflovingtexans.com/recipe/campfire-dutch-oven-chili-with-cornbread/
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